Word Watching answers: September 2, 2005

Share via

(b)Nickleby. An idler, philanderer and spendthrift, constantly sponging upon his wife, whom he bankrupts. “His name was originally Muntle; but it had been converted, by an easy transition, into Mantalini.”

SWEEDLEPIPE

(a)Chuzzlewit. Paul, “Poll”. Bird-fancier and barber. Mrs Gamp’s landlord in High Holborn and great friend of Bailey, whom he eventually takes into partnership. “A little elderly man, with a clammy cold right hand, from which even rabbits and birds could not remove the smell of shaving-soap.”

CREWLER

(a)Copperfield. The Revd Horace. A penurious Devonshire curate, father of Sophy and nine other daughters. “An excellent man,